Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
Pope Francis, surrounded by shells of destroyed churches, arrives to pray for the victims of war at Hosh al-Bieaa Church Square, in Mosul, Iraq, once the de-facto capital of IS, Sunday, March 7, 2021. The long 2014-2017 war to drive IS out left ransacked homes and charred or pulverized buildings around the north of Iraq, all sites Francis visited on Sunday. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
The Latest: 1000s fill stadium for pope's final Iraq event

Mar. 07, 2021 04:32 AM EST

U.S. National Security Advisor Robert Robert O'Brien, right, and Philippines' Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin Jr. pose in between precision-guided ammunitions and other defense articles during a turnover ceremony at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Pasay City, Philippines Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. (Eloisa Lopez/Pool Photo via AP)
US provides missiles, renews pledge to defend Philippines

By Jim Gomez Nov. 23, 2020 01:34 AM EST

President Donald Trump gives a thumbs up after arriving at Pope Army Field for an event with troops at Fort Bragg, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, in Pope Field, N.C. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The Latest: Trump meets troops involved in al-Baghdadi raid

Oct. 29, 2020 01:42 PM EDT

President Donald Trump stands on the balcony outside of the Blue Room as returns to the White House Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, in Washington, after leaving Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Bethesda, Md. A federal appeals court says Trump's accountant must turn over his tax records to a New York state prosecutor. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled Wednesday, Oct. 7. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The Latest: Harris says Breonna Taylor didn't get justice

Oct. 07, 2020 02:30 PM EDT

TAKES OUT REFERENCE TO DESIGNATE - Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kahdimi, center right, inspects artifacts destroyed by Islamic State militants at the national museum during his visit to Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, June 10, 2020. (Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office, via AP)
PM vows IS will never again overrun Iraqi territory

By Qassim Abdul-Zahra Jun. 10, 2020 03:22 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 7, 2020, file photo, workers disinfect the ground around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which emptied Islam's holiest site for what they say sterilization over fears of the new coronavirus. The Islamic State group in an audio message released late Thursday, May 28, 2020, blasted Iraq’s new prime minister, calling him an “American agent” and criticizing the closure of Islam’s holiest shrine in the Saudi holy city of Mecca to limit the spread of coronavirus. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, File)
IS blasts Iraq PM as American agent, calls for more attacks

By Qassim Abdul-Zahra May. 29, 2020 08:49 AM EDT